Robbinsdale Housing Project Conflicts with Light Rail Plans
A new apartment complex in Robbinsdale could add about 200 housing units onto West Broadway.
However, the project could end up butting heads with the proposed Bottineau Blue Line Light Rail Extension project.
Developers presented the concept to the Robbinsdale City Council on Oct. 8.
U.S. Bank owns a parcel at 4000 West Broadway. The company has an existing bank branch at the site next to the Robbinsdale Town Center mall.
Working with North Shore Development Partners, U.S. Bank wants to rebuild its bank building, then construct a six-story apartment building.
The complex would have two stories built underground and would have between 195 and 205 apartment units.
However, plans for the Bottineau Blue Line complicate the prospect of redevelopment.
The rail line is planned to run through downtown Robbinsdale. As part of the project, Metro Transit expects to build a park-and-ride on the site.
It’s unclear if the projects can co-exist on the site.
“I’m not 100 percent that a park-and-ride on one end of the city is going to help your community,” said Matt Alexander with North Shore Development Partners. “We’ll offer [195-205] residential units of people that are going to stay, eat, play, shop and ride the light rail.”
A graphic rendering of the apartment complex and bank branch proposed on West Broadway.
Robbinsdale City Manager Tim Sandvik said he was optimistic that both projects were possible.
Mayor Bill Blonigan spoke positively of the concept.
“We’ve got $2.35 million of value on this property right now,” he said. “And it’s going to be $65 million. So that will create a lot of tax base.”
Meanwhile, Council Member Aaron Wagner said he was “always going to prioritize public transit access,” but it’s a “great project on paper.”
If construction moves forward, the apartment complex would be open in 2027.
